ABS failure light came on at 55000 miles. ABS not operational. Dealer to charge $1200 for new ABS module. Ridiculous. This is not a wear component!!! this should be a recall item.

- Downingtown, PA, USA

This is concerning my 2000 VW Passat 1.8T automatic(tiptronic) vehicle. I am having issues with my anti lock brake system. My car warns me of an ABS failure randomly (warning lights come on and go away for no apparent reason) I have found a multitude of other people on the internet that experience the same exact issues with this car. I have contacted VW of America and was told that there is no known issue with the car (no recall) and that if in fact there are as many people having this problem, that they should call VW and also report it to the NHTSA. She said that if the NHTSA got enough complaints that they could force VW to do a recall. Here are some links where I found alot of other people with the same car/same issue: tech.bentleypublishers.com/search!execute.jspa? resolution to this problem is a $2000 replacement of the ABS unit to "see" if that fixes it. Something needs to be done for these guys to admit to having faulty parts in these model vehicles. Any help is greatly appreciated! thanks, steve brickhouse.

- Lakeland, FL, USA

ABS and brake warning light suddenly appears accompanied by warning message "stop - brake fault" and loud audible alarm. My independent VW mechanic retrieved vehicle fault codes and advises the replacement of the ABS control unit. The mechanic said he has seen this problem several times in the past year. The ABS is inoperable and the drivers normal braking effort could result in the rear wheels locking up. Failure to correct this problem by replacing the ABS unit is likely due to the high part cost ($1,123.25) as this is becoming a common issue with many VW owners (evidence of this is readily availabe on the internet), the driving public's safety is being jeopardized for ecomomic reasons.

- Avondale Estates, GA, USA

When the brakes are applied there is a delay before the vehicle will stop. Also, engine service light will appear on the dashboard. Dealer replaced the sensor at consumer's expense of $1,500.

- Windsor, CT, USA

Malfunction of robert Bosch 5.3 ABS module.

- San Jose, CA, USA

Wet weather braking...same as other complaints. There is a significant delay in braking response in wet weather. Once the brakes 'grab' stopping is not a problem; I've learned to brake early. The problem seems to be reduced if you try to frequently touch the brakes, I'm assuming this clears water build-up from the rotors/pads. Is this a problem with the open design of the alloy wheels or is the disc/rotor guard that sits behind the wheel becoming filled with water? fyi, I have a 2000 Passat 4motion glx wagon.

- Herndon, VA, USA

While driving, a loud grinding noise would be coming from the front wheels. Dealer notified and informed consumer that front rotors and calipers needed to be replaced.

- Akron, OH, USA

Brake pedal slowly went to floor. Vehicle at major intersection and situation dangerous. Next time, brake pedal went directly to floor and had to be pumped to stop the car. Reported to dealer on first warranty check. Dealer failed to check brakes at all. Returned to dealer with complaint that they failed to check brakes. Flushed hydraulic brake system and checked completely at request of owner. Dealer asserts "brake system is to factory specification." I have no reason to believe problem resolved as dealer states he must still refer to VW in germany for advice and instructions. VW in germany has been contacted and they can only refer to subsidiary in auburn mi who does not know anything except matter is entirely in hands of dealer.

- Santa Fe, NM, USA

Braake pedal goes slowly to floor when brakes applied. Dealer could not repair. Needs further info from Volkswagen.

- Santa Fe, NM, USA

Vehicle engine fails to respond in emergency situation / pedal to the floor.

- Bloomfield, NJ, USA

2-3 sec delay when brakes are used in wet weather. Problem present since new.

- Stratford, CT, USA

During wet weather braking, pedal is not firm and pronounced delay(2+ seconds)before brakes respond to driver input.

- Sunnyvale, CA, USA

Braking power greatly reduced in the rain. Takes a couple of seconds for the brakes to work after applying brakes. The brake pedal drops quite far before you can feel the brakes start to work. This is not a matter of reduced tire grip. See the following links: www.clubb5.com/discussionforums/index.htm and www.audiworld.com/forum/M/A4/msgs/233090.phtml. to my knowledge, the Passat and A4 have the same or similar braking systems. This problem only occurs in the rain and did not occur when the car was new. Being in southern California I do not drive in the rain very often but it is still alarming that I am having this trouble. I have been driving for 16 years and this is the first time I have experienced this.

- Corona, CA, USA

Brakes fade terribly in wet weather.

- Bath, PA, USA

I have had this problem occurring consistantly when in rain/snow. Initally the brake pedal goes to floorboard.

- Allston, MA, USA

I have had this problem occurring consistantly when in rain/snow. Initally the brake pedal goes to the floor, but after a 1-2 second brake application, brake pedal feel returns to normal. This is a frightening situation, considering the extra caution required during adverse weather.

- Allston, MA, USA

Very poor wet braking. Car is not predictable when braking.. driving up interstate 83 in Maryland, no standing water on road, just wet raining conditions. I attempted to brake suddenly and car pulled to left. Other occasions car had had substantial decrease in braking capability when wet.

- Timonium, MD, USA

Wet braking is poor - at highway speeds in rain at near-freezing temperatures, brake pedal application results in a lag time before braking begins. Occurs when roads are wet, not icy. Problem vanishes if brakes are applied first to "dry" them and then applied, but can't always plan for that.

- Croton-On-Hudson, NY, USA

When it rains, there is a 3+ second delay before the brakes engage. This car is identical to the Audi A4 (same platform and brake system) which currently has a defect investigation open. The Passat should be included in this investigation (both cars are "B5" platform cars).

- White Plains, NY, USA